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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED That the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee Pre-Audit Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2026 be received.
Apologies for absence were received from Craig Griffiths (Monitoring Officer), Paula O'Connor (Lay Member) and from Councillors Jamie Adams, Deryk Cundy, Andy Lodwig and Jess Pritchard.
No declarations of interest were received.
Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Joanna Jenkins. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2026 be approved as a correct record. The Chair noted that the action relating to the revised Risk Register had been completed and that the Swansea Bay City Deal Audit Wales report would be circulated to Members when available.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee Pre-Audit Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2026 be received.
The Sub-Committee considered a report of Chris Moore, Chief Finance Officer, regarding the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee Pre-Audit Annual Return 2025/26. The Chief Finance Officer presented the report and advised that expenditure for 2025/26 totaled approximately £696k. It was reported that additional Welsh Government grant funding had been secured during the year and that reserves had increased accordingly. Members were advised that the annual return had been submitted for audit and would be presented to a future meeting for formal approval following completion of the external audit process. Councillor Steve Alderman sought clarification regarding the establishment of a Corporate Joint Committee bank account and the recovery of VAT. In response, the Chief Finance Officer advised that work was progressing with HMRC and banking providers to establish the necessary arrangements and that VAT due to the Corporate Joint Committee would be reclaimed once the process had been completed. The Regional Finance Manager further advised that there was not expected to be any loss of entitlement to recover VAT, provided the arrangements were established within the current financial year. Joanna Jenkins highlighted the importance of ensuring future meetings were quorate, particularly when the audited accounts were presented for approval. The Chair advised that correspondence had been issued to Members emphasising the importance of attendance at meetings. The Chief Finance Officer added that the Monitoring Officer was considering whether any amendments to the Committee's procedures may be required to minimise the risk of meetings being inquorate. Joanna Jenkins also sought clarification regarding any timescales affecting the ability to recover VAT. The Chief Finance Officer advised that no concerns had been identified regarding recovery timescales and that the necessary arrangements were expected to be concluded in the coming months. The Regional Finance Manager added that there was not expected to be any loss of entitlement to recover VAT provided the arrangements were established within the current financial year. Councillor Cheryl Philpott sought clarification regarding the independent assurance arrangements referenced within the Annual Governance Statement. In response, the Chief Finance Officer advised that an Internal Audit review had been undertaken by Pembrokeshire County Council's Internal Audit Service and had been completed with no significant issues identified. The Chief Finance Officer further advised that the completed Internal Audit report would be presented alongside the final audited accounts at a future meeting. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; seconded by Joanna Jenkins. RESOLVED That the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee Pre-Audit Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2026 be received.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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